Moscow must prepare for supporter influx

26 January 2009 10:21

Moscow must now prepare for an invasion from Britain, as 50,000 football fans will hit the Russian capital for the European Champions League final on May 21st.

After Paul Scholes' solitary goal knocked Barcelona out of the competition on Tuesday, thus guaranteeing the first all-English final ever since the competition's induction in 1955, there are fears that Moscow will be unable to cope with the increase in tourists.

With three weeks still to go before the Manchester United and Chelsea showdown at the Lukhniki Stadium, all hotels in the city have already sold-out in anticipation of the 21,500 supporters each side will bring to the final.

Bahit Iaztova, of the Brighton-based Russian Travel Company, said: "All the economy seats on direct flights out on the two days before the game and coming back the next day are sold out."

Traveling fans have also been warned by MarkPerryman, of the Official England Supporter's club, who stated that many England fans were attacked and robbed after England's 2-1 defeat in the same stadium last year.

Thus supporters should make sure they take out the correct travel insurance to cover against theft and injury.